ARENA RULES

These rules apply to Creator Continuum Arena™ tournaments unless an individual tournament lists additional or different game specific requirements.

By registering for and participating in a Creator Continuum Arena™ tournament, players agree to follow these rules, all applicable game specific rules, and reasonable instructions provided by Arena staff.

1. Tournament Check In

All teams must check in **30 minutes before their scheduled match or tournament start time**.

Team captains are responsible for confirming that their registered players are present and ready to compete.

If a team expects to be late, the team captain must contact Creator Continuum Arena™ staff as soon as possible.

Teams that fail to check in or are not ready when their match is called may receive a warning, delay penalty, match loss, or forfeit depending on the circumstances.

Creator Continuum Arena™ staff will make the final determination when delays occur.

2. Team Rosters

Only registered and approved players may compete.

Players may not compete for multiple teams during the same tournament.

Teams may not replace a registered player with an unregistered player without approval from Creator Continuum Arena™ staff.

If substitutes are permitted for a tournament, substitutes must be registered and approved before competing.

Any roster change after the announced roster lock deadline requires Arena staff approval.

3. Solo and Duo Registration

Players may register individually or with one teammate instead of entering with a complete team.

Solo players and incomplete teams will be assigned teammates through **random selection** by Creator Continuum Arena™ staff.

Arena staff will make every reasonable effort to place solo and duo registrants onto complete teams **as soon as possible after registration**.

The goal of early team placement is to give assigned teammates time before tournament day to:

- Connect with one another
- Exchange Discord or other approved contact information
- Coordinate schedules
- Discuss roles and strategy
- Practice together when possible
- Select or create a team name

Once a free agent team has been formed, Arena staff will provide the players with the information necessary to contact their assigned teammates.

Random team placement does not guarantee a particular teammate, role, team name, seed, or competitive placement.

Arena staff may make reasonable adjustments if necessary to complete teams or address player availability.

4. Required Team Streamer

Each participating team must designate **at least one registered team member to livestream the teams tournament participation**.

The designated streamer must display the official:

- Creator Continuum™ banner
- Creator Continuum Arena™ banner

on their stream overlay during tournament competition.

Official graphics will be provided by Creator Continuum Arena™ staff before the tournament.

The designated streamer must provide an accurate stream channel link before competition begins.

The stream must remain publicly viewable during tournament matches unless Arena staff approve an exception.

If an unexpected technical problem prevents the designated streamer from broadcasting, the team must contact Arena staff immediately.

Failure to meet the streaming requirement without an approved exception may affect tournament eligibility.

5. Player Equipment and Internet Connection

Players are responsible for having:

- A functional gaming system
- A stable internet connection
- Access to the required game
- Required game updates installed
- Functional controllers, keyboard, mouse, headset, or other necessary equipment
- Access to required tournament communication channels

Players should test their equipment before tournament check in.

Connection or equipment problems affecting only one player or team will generally be considered that teams technical responsibility.

Repeated technical problems that prevent a team from continuing may result in a match loss or forfeit.

Arena staff may provide reasonable reconnect or troubleshooting time when tournament operations allow.

6. Player Disconnects

If a player disconnects **before meaningful gameplay has begun**, Arena staff may authorize a restart when technically possible.

If a disconnect occurs after meaningful gameplay has begun, the match will normally continue unless Arena staff determine that restarting or pausing the match is necessary for competitive fairness.

A disconnected player should attempt to reconnect immediately.

Teams must notify Arena staff of the issue as quickly as possible.

Arena staff have final authority to determine whether a match:

- Continues
- Restarts
- Is delayed
- Is replayed
- Results in a match loss or forfeit

Intentional disconnecting is prohibited and may result in penalties or disqualification.

7. Poor Internet or Connection Quality

Players are responsible for maintaining an internet connection capable of participating in the tournament.

Arena staff are not responsible for individual player lag, packet loss, Wi-Fi instability, hardware failures, internet provider outages, or similar issues affecting only one player or team.

If connection problems repeatedly interfere with tournament operations, Arena staff may require the affected team to continue without the disconnected player when allowed by the game, use an approved substitute, or forfeit the affected match.

Arena staff will consider the circumstances before issuing a competitive penalty.

8. Server, Game, or Tournament Wide Technical Problems

If a server outage, game service interruption, private lobby failure, tournament system problem, or other widespread technical issue affects multiple teams, Creator Continuum Arena™ staff may:

- Pause tournament competition
- Restart a match
- Recreate a lobby
- Delay upcoming matches
- Modify the tournament schedule
- Reschedule a match when necessary

Teams will not be penalized for a confirmed tournament wide technical failure outside of their control.

9. Cheating and Competitive Integrity

Cheating is strictly prohibited.

Prohibited conduct includes, but is not limited to:

- Hacks
- Unauthorized third party software
- Scripts
- Macros that provide an unfair competitive advantage
- Exploiting prohibited bugs or glitches
- Intentionally manipulating network conditions
- Account sharing
- Stream sniping
- Ghosting
- Collusion
- Match fixing
- Intentionally losing or manipulating results
- Impersonating another registered player
- Providing intentionally false tournament information

Creator Continuum Arena™ may request screenshots, recordings, stream footage, match information, or other reasonable evidence while reviewing a suspected violation.

A player or team found cheating may be immediately disqualified.

Serious violations may also result in exclusion from future Creator Continuum Arena™ events.

10. Game Specific Restrictions

Individual tournaments may restrict certain:

- Weapons
- Armor
- Characters
- Classes
- Subclasses
- Abilities
- Equipment
- Items
- Loadouts
- Maps
- Game settings
- Exploits or mechanics

These restrictions will be listed in the game specific rules for that tournament.

Players are responsible for reviewing the current restriction list before competing.

Using a prohibited item or mechanic may result in a warning, round loss, match loss, or disqualification depending on the severity and circumstances.

11. No Shows and Forfeits

Teams must be ready when Arena staff call their match.

Arena staff may provide a reasonable grace period when circumstances justify it.

A team that remains unavailable after the allowed period may receive a match forfeit.

Teams withdrawing from the tournament must notify Arena staff as soon as possible.

Repeated unexplained no shows may affect eligibility for future Creator Continuum Arena™ events.

12. Sportsmanship and Player Conduct

Players are expected to treat opponents, teammates, tournament staff, streamers, and community members respectfully.

The following behavior is prohibited:

- Harassment
- Hate speech
- Threats
- Discriminatory conduct
- Targeted personal abuse
- Intentionally disruptive behavior
- Attempts to interfere with another teams participation
- Repeated refusal to follow tournament staff instructions

Competitive banter is allowed as long as it does not become harassment, threats, discrimination, or targeted abuse.

Depending on the severity of the violation, Arena staff may issue a warning, competitive penalty, match loss, removal, or disqualification.

13. Match Results and Verification

Team captains are responsible for confirming match results when requested.

Arena staff may require:

- Screenshots
- Scoreboard images
- Stream footage
- Clips
- Match history
- Lobby results
- Other reasonable evidence

Players should remain on required post match screens until results have been documented when possible.

Creator Continuum Arena™ staff determine the official tournament results.

14. Disputes

Tournament disputes must be reported to Creator Continuum Arena™ staff as soon as reasonably possible.

Teams should provide any available evidence supporting their claim.

This may include:

- Screenshots
- Video
- Stream clips
- Match results
- Lobby information
- Relevant communication

Players should not attempt to resolve official tournament disputes through public arguments, harassment, or pressure directed toward opponents or staff.

Arena staff will review available information and make the final tournament ruling.

15. Match Schedule

Teams are responsible for monitoring official tournament communications and being available for scheduled matches.

Match times may shift because of:

- Earlier or longer matches
- Technical problems
- Disputes
- Lobby issues
- Player availability
- Tournament operations
- Other unexpected circumstances

Creator Continuum Arena™ staff will communicate significant schedule changes whenever reasonably possible.

16. Tournament Staff Authority

Not every possible tournament situation can be predicted in advance.

Creator Continuum Arena™ staff may make reasonable rulings when a situation is not specifically addressed by these rules.

Staff decisions should prioritize:

- Competitive fairness
- Consistency
- Tournament integrity
- Participant safety
- Successful tournament operation

Tournament staff decisions are final for the purposes of the event.

17. Prize Eligibility

Only eligible and approved participants who comply with tournament rules may receive prizes.

Players or teams that are disqualified may lose eligibility for tournament prizes.

Prize recipients may be required to provide reasonable information necessary to deliver or process their prize.

Only prizes specifically identified as **guaranteed** by Creator Continuum Arena™ should be considered guaranteed.

Prizes listed as **TBA**, potential, additional, sponsor supported, or similar language are not guaranteed until officially confirmed.

18. Tournament Changes

Creator Continuum Arena™ may make reasonable changes to tournament schedules, technical procedures, game specific rules, or event operations when necessary.

Material changes affecting participants will be communicated to registered teams whenever reasonably possible.

Players are responsible for reviewing the most current tournament information before competing.

19. Game Specific Tournament Rules

Each Creator Continuum Arena™ tournament may include additional rules covering:

- Game mode
- Tournament format
- Map pool
- Match or series length
- Bracket structure
- Seeding
- Scoring
- Overtime
- Lobby settings
- Restricted weapons or equipment
- Character, class, subclass, or ability restrictions
- Substitution rules
- Game specific technical procedures
- Additional competitive restrictions

Game specific rules are considered part of the official tournament rules and must be followed by all participants.

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Player Agreement

By registering for or participating in a Creator Continuum Arena™ tournament, players acknowledge that they have read and agree to follow the Creator Continuum Arena™ Tournament Rules and the applicable game specific tournament rules.